The Best Diet For Fibromyalgia Patients

Fibromyalgia, a condition defined by intense pain and excessive fatigue, is one of those common yet mysterious medical conditions that continue to haunt humanity. With the treatments for fibromyalgia highly limited, and misdiagnosis a common issue, it comes as no surprise that fibromyalgia patients can use all the help that they can get. Pain relievers, fatigue managers, and relaxation techniques are some of the most effective treatments that are available for fibromyalgia. Yet, a subject that often goes overlooked is the connection between a proper diet and fibromyalgia. Without divulging too much into the complexities, here is a simple explanation why a healthy diet is highly important for fibromyalgia patients. Since eating healthy automatically puts the body in better shape overall, the body is then in a much improved position to cope with nuisances such as fibromyalgia. While fibromyalgia cannot be cured with a proper diet, its symptoms can at least be managed. Below is an overview of what constitutes a proper diet for fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia and your diet!

A Diet That Contains Fruits and VegetablesFruits and vegetables are some of the best sources of nutrition available to man. Not only are the two highly low in calories, but both fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and antioxidants. The importance of these vital nutrients comes into play when analyzing the kind of symptoms that fibromyalgia patients suffer from. Obesity and irritable bowel are some common symptoms of fibromyalgia and so is autoimmune disorder. Therefore, consuming natural foods does not make the symptoms worse. Foods that have additives on the other hand do make the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia worse.

A Diet Containing Omega-3 Fatty AcidsMost people believe that fats are generally bad for health. Even though this is true, many individual do not know that there are some fats which are actually good for health. These good fats are called omega-3 fatty acids and are found in fish that live in cold water, such as salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. Although these foods do not offer direct pain relief, they are still a wonderful addition to any healthy diet.

A Diet That Avoids CaffeineFor fibromyalgia patients, combating fatigue by the intake of caffeine sounds like an excellent option. However, experts strictly advise patients to avoid adopting such methods. As caffeine forces the body back into action, the fatigue levels can actually worsen. Moreover, a high consumption of caffeine disrupts your sleeping patterns, an issue which is already quite common in fibromyalgia patients.

A Diet Containing Lean Proteins and Low CarbsA high intake of carbohydrates and read meat is never advised. Lean proteins, on the other hand, are almost always recommended by health experts. A diet containing lean proteins keeps the blood glucose levels in check and prevents the glucose levels from making volatile changes. It is necessary to keep the blood sugar levels from rising or dropping rapidly because the respective act allows your body to fight against fatigue.

Popular and successful treatment for Fibromyalgia

Despite the advancement in medical science, Fibromyalgia is one of those rare medical conditions that continue to baffle experts. Because of the complexity and variance of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, coupled with the wide variety of causes, an effective treatment for the disorder is hard to find. A syndrome affecting the muscles and the soft tissues in the body, Fibromyalgia is widely believed to be one of the most widely prevalent and detrimental muscular conditions. According to a recent study, about 1 person from every 50 Americans suffers from this disorder at some stage in their lives. Thus, this goes on to show how detrimental fibromyalgia really is.

As the syndrome is a complex one and treatment remains a case of trial and error, most patients try various kinds of treatment and do not religiously follow any single one. From medications to natural remedies, all kinds of ways are employed for treating this disorder as long as they are successful in alleviating the pain. Thus, to help patients fight the pain of fibromyalgia, below is an overview of the top 3 treatments for Fibromyalgia definitely worth trying.

AcupunctureA traditional Chinese pain management therapy renowned for its pain relieving abilities, Acupuncture has slowly found its way to the western world. Several different Fibromyalgia experts now use the measure to alleviate the pain of fibromyalgia. Whereas in traditional China acupuncture was used to rebalance the flow of energy in the body, Acupuncture is currently used to help improve the flow of blood as well as boost the production of the body’s natural pain killers. By involving the insertion of surgical grade needles into various points of the body, Acupuncture is relatively safe and its proper application can and does produce rapid results. Based on a 2006 study carried out by the Mayo clinic, most Fibromyalgia patients who had gone through Acupuncture found it to be helpful as far as managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia is concerned.

MassageOne of the most effective and widely employed pain relief therapies, massage consistently ranks as the favorite of many Fibromyalgia patients. By gently stroking the affected areas, massage helps improve

the flow of blood to the muscles and reduces pain. Getting a massage also boosts one’s range of motion. Furthermore, some studies have found massage to be beneficial in improving the patients’ mood too. However, a massage should always be performed by a professional as getting a massage from an inexperienced person may make the symptoms worse instead of better.

ExerciseContrary to the popular belief, exercise is not harmful for Fibromyalgia patients. Instead, it can actually make the condition of an individual a lot better. According to Kim Jones, a PhD and Fibromyalgia expert at the Oregon health and science university, “Deconditioned muscles are a potent pain generator in Fibromyalgia. It’s not fair to tell people with fibromyalgia, ‘just exercise and you’ll feel better,’ because many people have tried that and they end up in bed for two weeks recovering”. She adds, “The trick is to exercise slowly enough that you can condition muscle without generating pain”.

Thus, an individual should not go for intense workouts, but should rather opt for low intensity exercise to fight the symptoms of fibromyalgia.